Hello, Crafty Peeps! I'm here today to share with you just how easy it is to create your own custom Copic color! Did you know Copic has empty markers available in three different sizes -- Classic Markers, Sketch Markers, and Wide Markers? And they come with the same nibs as their filled marker versions! You can use these empty markers for a number of things, but my favorite way to use them is to create my own custom Copic color. Maybe you are saying, "Why would I want to do this, when there are 358 colors of Copic ink?" Most often, I use custom Copic colors to fill blending gaps, such as this -- my favorite RV63 and RV66:
These are some of the newest Copic colors and while it is entirely possible to use them together in a blending group (after all, we've been doing it since they were introduced, right?), having another color to bridge that wide gap would just make things a little easier, wouldn't it? :) So here I am today, creating that custom middle color!
To get started, you will need an empty marker -- I chose an empty Sketch Marker, along with an Empty Various Ink bottle. I started by removing the tip/nozzle of the Empty Various Ink bottle, then squeezed in a ratio of half Colorless Blender and half RV66 Various Ink. Test swatches on paper, using a cotton swab, and then add either more Various ink or more Blender Solution, depending on whether you need to make the ink darker or lighter. Alternately, you could start with lighter RV63 Various Ink and add a few drops of the darker RV66 Various Ink, until you achieve the shade you'd like ... I just thought starting with the Blender and RV66 would be quicker.
I thought my first attempt (in the photo above) was great (and I named it "RV64"), but I thought it could be just a tad darker, so I added 0.5cc more of the RV66 Various Ink and ended up with just the right combo, I thought -- I name it "RV65" in the photo below:
On the "RV65" Custom Sketch Color I created, I made a note of the proportions on the side of the Empty Various Ink bottle so I can repeat the color, if ever needed. I also labeled the Various Ink bottle and both ends of the Empty Sketch Marker with RV65, using my label maker.
Keep in mind that filling a brand new, empty marker takes about 1.5 - 2cc’s EXTRA ink to saturate the sponge inside the marker than if you were refilling a standard, already used marker, so be sure to make enough custom ink color to entirely fill your empty marker! I made 8.5cc and still have 5cc left, after filling the entirely Empty Sketch Marker.
Other uses for empty markers:
- Add another substance entirely (other than Copic Various Inks) to an empty marker, like using food coloring so you can airbrush frosting on a cake or cupcakes, or airbrush food colors on cookies!
- Use a dye ink refill from your favorite ink pad, to create a coordinating marker!
Keep in mind paint-based inks will not work, as the pores will dry out and ink will not flow properly.
Here's my beautiful new RV63-Custom RV65-RV66 blending group:
And here it is in action, in a little sneak peek:
I'm sorry I can't reveal the entire colored image until Sunday, August 6, but please be sure to check back then, to see my full card AND a fabulous new release from Essentials by Ellen!
What uses can you think of for an Empty Copic Marker? I'd love to hear your ideas in the comments below!
